Slot machines and playing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A slot machine has an external connecting unit connectable to a cellular phone. A controller of the slot machine is connected to the cellular phone via the external connecting unit, to receive an operation signal from an operating part of the cellular phone and perform control of a game based on the received operation signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to slot machines and a game control methodof the slot machines.

2. Related Art

Networking of slot machines has been proposed in recent years. Forexample, WO2003/090886 (PCT/US2003/010969), or Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2005-523668, discloses a networkedcomputerized game system, and in particular, a technique concerned withsecurity. As performance of cellular phones improves, the number ofplayers performing slot games on the cellular phones is increasing.

The present invention provides new slot machines with new entertainmentvalue, the machines being adapted for use with cellular phones familiarto a user, when the slot games are performed with the actual slotmachines in a casino.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a slot machineincludes a connecting terminal connectable to a cellular phone of aplayer, and a game controller receiving an operation signal from anoperating part of the cellular phone by a connection with the cellularphone via the connecting terminal, and performing control of a gamebased on the operating signal received.

This slot machine is connectable with the cellular phone and subjectedto the control of the game by receiving the operation signal from theoperating part of the cellular phone.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the gamecontroller can perform a game identical with a game performable on adisplay of the cellular phone, by using the cellular phone, when thecellular phone and the slot machine are not connected to each other viathe connecting terminal.

This slot machine performs the game identical with the game the cellularphone can perform alone.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the gamecontroller reads credit data and performs control of a game with theread credit data by establishing a connection between the cellular phoneand the slot machine via the connecting terminal, the credit data beingprovided by a game, performed with the cellular phone not connected withthe slot machine, and identical game to game performed with the slotmachine, and then being stored in a memory of the cellular phone.

This slot machine performs a game using credit data provided when a gameis performed with the cellular phone alone.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the gamecontroller reads credit data and performs control of a game with theread credit data by establishing a connection between the cellular phoneand the slot machine via the connecting terminal, the credit data beingprovided by a game performed with the cellular phone that is connectedwith the slot machine and being stored in a memory of the cellularphone.

In this slot machine, the credit data provided by the game is stored inthe memory of the cellular phone connected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the slot machineis connected so as to establish communication with a management serverstoring data of a plurality of games, and the game is one game receivedfrom the management server from among the plurality of games stored inthe management server.

In this slot machine, the plurality of games stored in the managementserver connected so as to establish communication can be performed byusing the operating part of the cellular phone.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a memory isprovided storing data of the plurality of games, and the game is onegame read from the memory, from among the plurality of games stored inthe memory.

In this slot machine, the plurality of games can be stored in the slotmachine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between slot machines13 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention andcellular phones 300 or the like;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the slot machine 13 and the cellularphones 300 are connected to each other in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the slot machine 13 in thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view showing in enlarged dimension a displayarea of the slot machine 13 in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, when viewed from the back side, of theoutline of the construction of a liquid crystal display 30 of the slotmachine 13 in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of partof the liquid crystal display 30 shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of acontroller 100 of the slot machine 13 in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a game program storagetable stored in a management server 500;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of thecellular phone 300;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a credit data storagetable stored in the cellular phone 300;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the flow of a main process of the slotmachine 13 in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the flow of an operation signalreceiving process of the slot machine 13 in the preferred embodiment;and

FIGS. 13 to 15 are examples of display of the liquid crystal display 30of the slot machine 13 in the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The construction of the slot machine 13 of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention will now be described in outline with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the slotmachines 13 of the present invention and cellular phones 300 or thelike. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a situation where a game is performedwith the slot machine 13 of the present invention when the slot machine13 and the cellular phone 300 are connected to each other.

In the block diagram of FIG. 1, a plurality of the slot machines 13 areconnected to the cellular phones 300, respectively, via an externalconnecting unit 170 (refer to FIG. 2). The slot machines 13 and thecellular phone 300 are connected to a management server 500 over thenetwork 600.

The management server 500 stores a plurality of game programs. Each ofthe slot machines 13 is capable of performing a plurality of kinds ofgames by receiving the game programs from the management server 500.

Each of the cellular phones 300 is also capable of performing a gamewith the cellular phone 300 by receiving its game program from themanagement server 500 over the network 600. Credit data obtained fromthis game can be stored in a predetermined memory of the cellular phone300. When the slot machine 13 and the cellular phone 300 are connectedto each other, the player can perform the game with the slot machine 13by using the credit data.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, when the slot machine 13 and thecellular phone 300 are connected to each other via the externalconnecting unit 170, the player can perform the game on the slot machine13 by operating an operating part 350 of the cellular phone 300.

The operating part 350 is provided with a center button 351, an upperbutton 352, a right button 353, a lower button 354, a left button 355,and an end button 356. The player can perform games with the slotmachine 13 by operating the various buttons 351 to 356 by a hand 200.

When the center button 351 is operated, the cellular phone 300 suppliesa middle operation signal to the slot machine 13. Upon receipt of themiddle operation signal, the slot machine 13 repeats the game withoutchanging the number of coins bet on winning lines, to be describedlater, in the previous game, as in the case where a spin-repeat-betswitch 24 (refer to FIG. 3), to be described later, is operated.

When the upper button 352 is operated, the cellular phone 300 suppliesan upper operation signal to the slot machine 13. Upon receipt of theupper operation signal, the slot machine 13 bets a coin on thelater-described winning lines, as in the case where a BET switch 23(refer to FIG. 3), described later, is operated.

When the right button 353 is operated, the cellular phone 300 supplies aright operation signal to the slot machine 13. Upon receipt of the rightoperation signal, the slot machine 13 shifts a cursor 94 (refer to FIG.13), described later, to the right.

When the lower button 354 is operated, the cellular phone 300 supplies alower operation signal to the slot machine 13. Upon receipt of the loweroperation signal, the slot machine 13 starts the game as in the casewhere a start switch 25 (refer to FIG. 3), described later, is operated.

When the left button 355 is operated, the cellular phone 300 supplies aleft operation signal to the slot machine 13. Upon the receipt of theleft operation signal, the slot machine 13 shifts the later-describedcursor 94 (refer to FIG. 13) to the left.

When the end button 356 is operated, the cellular phone 300 supplies anend signal to the slot machine 13. Upon receipt of the end signal, theslot machine 13 sends credit data stored in a RAM 110 (refer to FIG. 7)to be described later to the cellular phone 300.

Thus, the present invention is capable of enhancing operability for theplayer because the player can perform the games by using the operatingpart of the cellular phone the player is accustomed to using, enablingthe provision of a slot machine 13 having a new entertainment value.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the slot machine 13 in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 13includes a cabinet 20 and a main door 42. The cabinet 20 has a surfaceopening toward the player. The cabinet 20 houses various componentsincluding a controller 100 (refer to FIG. 7) for electricallycontrolling the slot machine 13, and a hopper 44 (refer to FIG. 7) forcontrolling the insertion, storage, and payout of coins (game media),and the like. The game media are not limited to coins. For example, themedia may include medals, tokens, electronic money, or electronicinformation of value (credits) equivalent to these.

The main door 42 is a member with which the interior of the cabinet 20is covered so as not to be exposed to the outside. A liquid crystaldisplay 30 is disposed at substantially the center of the main door 42.

The liquid crystal display 30 provides a variety of images related togames including produced images and the like. The player advances thegame while observing the variety of images displayed on the liquidcrystal display 30. The liquid crystal display 30 includes a transparentliquid crystal panel 34 (refer to FIGS. 5 and 6). The transparent liquidcrystal panel 34 can be brought partly or entirely into its transparentor non-transparent state, and can also display a variety of images. Theconstruction of the liquid crystal display 30 will be described indetail later.

On the back side of the liquid crystal display 30, five mechanical reels3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E (refer to FIG. 4), each having a plurality ofkinds of symbols on its outer peripheral surface, are rotatablylaterally aligned. The mechanical reels 3A to 3E are constructed as aplurality of symbol displaying means, together with stepping motors 45A,45B, 45C, 45D, and 45E (refer to FIG. 7) to be described later. Themechanical reels 3A to 3E have on their respective outer peripheralsurfaces a plurality of kinds of symbols necessary for a basic game.These symbols of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E are made visible when thetransparent liquid crystal panel 34 is in its transparent state.

A substantially horizontal operating part 21 is disposed below theliquid crystal display 30. Disposed on the right side of the operatingpart 21 is a coin slot 22 through which a number of coins are insertedinto the slot machine 13. On the other hand, disposed on the left sideof the operating part 21 are a BET switch 23 and the spin-repeat-betswitch 24. The BET switch 23 is used to choose the number of coins asgame media to be bet on lines L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, and L9 forawarding nine prizes to be described later (hereinafter referred tosimply as “winning lines”), any one of which can be decided to beactivated, and the activated prize is awarded. The spin-repeat-betswitch 24 is used to repeat the game without changing the number ofcoins bet on the winning lines in the last game. The number of coins tobe bet on the winning lines can be selected by pushing the BET switch 23or the spin-repeat-bet switch 24.

In the operating part 21, a start switch 25 for accepting for each gamethe player's operation of starting the basic game is disposed on theleft side of the BET switch 23. Pushing either the start switch 25 orthe spin-repeat-bet switch 24 triggers the start of the game, and theabove-mentioned five mechanical reels 3A to 3E are then rotated.

Also in the operating part 21, a cash-out switch 26 is disposed in thevicinity of the coin slot 22. When the player pushes the cash-out switch26, the inserted coins can be paid out from a coin discharge slot 27.The discharged coins can be collected on a coin tray 28. Sound permeableopenings 29, through which sound effects outputted from a speaker 41(refer to FIG. 7) housed within the cabinet 20 are propagated to theoutside of the cabinet 20, are disposed on the right and left sides withthe coin discharge slot 27 interposed therebetween above the coin tray28.

A connecting surface 121 extending substantially vertically is disposedbelow the operating part 21. The external connecting unit 170 isdisposed on the right side of the connecting surface 121. The externalconnecting unit 170 is configured so as to be connectable to thecellular phone 300 of the player.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a display area of the slot machine 13. Theliquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13 includes a front panel31 and the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 (refer to FIGS. 5 and 6),which is disposed on the back surface of the front panel 31. The frontpanel 31 can be constructed by incorporating a transparent displaysurface 31 a and a symbol forming area 31 b where a symbol can beformed. Image information displayed on the transparent liquid crystalpanel 34 disposed on the back surface of the front panel 31 can beobserved through the display surface 31 a of the front panel 31. On theother hand, when the area of the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 isin its transparent state, the symbols on the five mechanical reels 3A to3E arranged to the rear of the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 canbe observed through the display surface 31 a. Display parts 48 to 50 aredisposed above the mechanical reels 3A to 3E.

Referring to FIG. 4, the slot machine 13 has the lines L1 to L9 forawarding nine prizes. These lines L1 to L9 extend so as to pass througha symbol of each of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E when all of therotations of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E come to a stop.

For example, a one-push operation of the BET switch 23 activates theline L3 for awarding a third prize, the line L5 for awarding a fifthprize, and the line L7 for awarding a seventh prize, and also takes up acoin as a credit medal.

A two-push operation of the BET switch 23 activates, for example, theline L3 for awarding a first prize, the line L4 for awarding a fourthprize, and the line L8 for awarding an eighth prize, in addition to theabove-mentioned three lines, and also take up two coins as creditmedals.

A three-push operation of the BET switch 23 activates, for example, theline L2 for awarding a second prize, the line L6 for awarding a sixthprize, and the line L9 for awarding a ninth prize, in addition to theabove-mentioned six lines, and also take up three coins as creditmedals.

A game executable in the present embodiment is the basic game to alignsymbols on the winning lines. If a number of predetermined symbols canbe aligned on the winning line, the player can receive a prize.

A display part 48 displays the number of credits of coins stored in theslot machine 13. A display part 49 displays the number of BETs, namelythe number of coins bet on the winning lines. A display part 50 displaysthe number of coins paid out when a combination for awarding a prize isestablished on the winning lines. The display parts 48 to 50 may bedisplayed with images on the transparent liquid crystal panel 34.Alternatively, a seven-segment indicator may be included.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the construction of the liquid crystal display 30 ofthe slot machine 13. The liquid crystal display 30 displays game imagesand the like related to the basic game. Therefore, the liquid crystaldisplay 30 is constructed of the front panel 31 including a touch panel32 and a display board 33, the transparent liquid crystal panel 34, alight guide plate 35, a reflecting film 36, fluorescent lamps 37 a, 37b, 38 a, and 38 b, being so-called white light sources, lamp holders 39a, 39 b, 39 c, 39 d, 39 e, 39 f, 39 g, and 39 h, and a table carrierpackage (TCP) mounting thereon ICs for driving the transparent liquidcrystal panel. The TCP, not being shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is constructedof a flexible substrate (not shown) connected to a terminal part of thetransparent liquid crystal panel 34.

The liquid crystal display 30 is disposed in front of the display areasof the mechanical reels 3A to 3E (in front of the display surface 31 a)so as to cross over the mechanical reels 3A to 3E. Predetermined spacingis provided between the mechanical reels 3A to 3E and the liquid crystaldisplay 30.

The touch panel 32 is formed of a transparent member. The display board33 is formed of a transparent member, and a symbol or the like can beformed at a predetermined position on the display board 33. In thiscase, the area where the symbol or the like is formed on the displayboard 33 corresponds to the symbol forming area 31 b on the front panel31. On the other hand, the area where neither symbol nor the like isformed on the display board 33 corresponds to the display surface 31 aon the front panel 31 (refer to FIG. 4). Alternatively, the entiresurface of the front panel 31 may be the display surface 31 a, withoutforming the symbol forming area 31 b on the front panel 31. In thiscase, the display board 33 may be omitted.

The transparent liquid crystal panel 34 can be achieved by sealingliquid crystal in a clearance part between a transparent substrate suchas a glass plate with a thin film transistor layer formed thereon, andanother transparent substrate opposed thereto. The display mode of thetransparent liquid crystal panel 34 is set to normally white. The term“normally white” means a mode in which a white display is provided withno liquid crystal being driven (the light transmitted to the displaysurface side can be observed from the outside). By employing thetransparent liquid crystal panel 34 set to normally white, the playercan continue the game because the variable displays and the stopdisplays of the respective symbols on the mechanical reels 3A to 3E canbe observed in the event that the liquid crystal cannot be driven. Thatis, even in that event, it is possible to perform a game comprisedmainly of rearrangement of the symbols on the mechanical reels 3A to 3E.

The light guide plate 35, which guides the light from the fluorescentlamps 37 a and 37 b to the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 (in otherwords, illuminates the transparent liquid crystal panel 34), is disposedon the back side of the transparent liquid crystal panel 34, and formedof a transparent member such as acrylic resin (with a light guidingfunction) having a thickness of about 2 cm.

The reflecting film 36 can be obtained by forming, for example, a silverdeposition film on a white polyester film or an aluminium thin film, andit reflects the light introduced in the light guide plate 35 toward thefront side of the light guide plate 35. The reflecting film 36 isconstructed of a reflecting area 36A and a non-reflecting area (apermeable area) 36B. The non-reflecting area 36B is formed of atransparent material and disposed in an area including a part of thefront panel 31 which covers the front parts of the mechanical reels 3Ato 3E.

The fluorescent lamps 37 a and 37 b are disposed along the upper end andthe lower end of the light guide plate 35, respectively, and both theirends are supported by lamp holders 39 a and 39 b, and lamp holders 39 gand 39 h, respectively. The light irradiated from the fluorescent lamps37 a and 37 b is reflected from the reflecting area 36A of thereflecting film 36 and irradiates the transparent liquid crystal panel34. On the other hand, the fluorescent lamps 38 a and 38 b are disposedat upper and lower positions of the back side of the reflecting film 36,respectively, and directed to the mechanical reels 3A to 3E. Both endsof the fluorescent lamps 38 a and 38 b are supported by lamp holders 39c and 39 d, and lamp holders 39 e and 39 f, respectively. The lightemitted from the fluorescent lamps 38 a and 38 b is reflected from thesurfaces of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E to the non-reflecting area36B, and illuminates the transparent liquid crystal panel 34. Thus, inthe liquid crystal display 30, the light irradiated from the fluorescentlamps 37 a and 37 b and reflected from the reflecting area 36A of thereflecting film 36, as well as the light irradiated from the fluorescentlamps 38 a and 38 b and reflected from the surfaces of the mechanicalreels 3A to 3E to the non-reflecting area 36B illuminates thetransparent liquid crystal panel 34. Hence, the area of the liquidcrystal display 30 corresponding to the non-reflecting area 36B of thereflecting film 36 is an area switched between the transparent state andthe non-transparent state, depending on whether the liquid crystal isdriven or not. On the other hand, the area of the liquid crystal display30 corresponding to the reflecting area 36A of the reflecting film 36 isbrought into the non-transparent state, irrespective of whether theliquid crystal is driven or not.

Although in the slot machine 13 only a partial area of the displaysurface of the liquid crystal display 30 is subjected to switchingbetween the transparent state and the non-transparent state, the entirearea of the display surface of the liquid crystal display 30 may besubjected to switching between the transparent state and thenon-transparent state. In this case, the reflecting film 36 may beentirely formed as the non-reflecting area 36B, or the reflecting film36 may be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of thecontroller 100 of the slot machine 13. The controller 100 is amicrocomputer and is provided with an interface circuit group 102, aninput-output bus 104, a CPU 106, a ROM 108, a RAM 110, an interfacecircuit 111 for communication, a random number generator 112, a motordrive circuit 120, a speaker drive circuit 122, a hopper drive circuit124, and a display/input controller 140.

The interface circuit group 102 is connected to the input-output bus 104performing input and output of data signals or address signals withrespect to the CPU 106.

A start switch 25 is connected to the interface circuit group 102. Astart signal outputted from the start switch 25 is converted to apredetermined signal by the interface circuit group 102, and thensupplied to the input-output bus 104.

The BET switch 23, the spin-repeat-bet switch 24, and the cash-outswitch 26 are also connected to the interface circuit group 102.Switching signals outputted from the switches 23, 24, and 26,respectively, are also supplied to the interface circuit group 102, andconverted to predetermined signals by the interface circuit group 102,respectively, and then supplied to the input-output bus 104.

A coin sensor 43 is also connected to the interface circuit group 102.The coin sensor 43 is a sensor for detecting coins inserted into thecoin slot 22, and provided in relation to the coin slot 22. A sensingsignal outputted from the coin sensor 43 is also supplied to theinterface circuit group 102, and converted to a predetermined signal bythe interface circuit group 102, and then supplied to the input-outputbus 104.

A reel position detection circuit 46 is also connected to the interfacecircuit group 102. The reel position detection circuit 46 is a circuitfor detecting the rotational positions of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E,based on pulse signals from a reel rotational position sensor (notshown). The detection signals from the reel position detection circuit46 are also supplied to the interface circuit group 102, and convertedto predetermined signals by the interface circuit group 102, and thensupplied to the input-output bus 104.

The external connecting unit 170 is also connected to the interfacecircuit group 102. The connection of the external connecting unit 170 tothe cellular phone 300 permits communication between the cellular phone300 and the slot machine 13.

The ROM 108 and the RAM 110 are connected to the input-output bus 104.

Upon acceptance of the start operation of the basic game through thestart switch 25, the CPU 106 reads a basic game program to execute thebasic game. The basic game program is programmed as follows. That is,all of the stepping motors 45A to 45E are driven to rotate all of themechanical reels 3A to 3E so as to start the scrolls of the symbols onthe reels 3A to 3E. Thereafter, the drives to the stepping motors 45A to45E are stopped, to stop the rotations of all of the mechanical reels 3Ato 3E so as to rearrange the reels 3A to 3E. If a combination of symbolsstopped at this time is displayed on the winning lines, and thecombination corresponds to a specific combination for which a prize isawarded, a number of coins associated with the specific combination arepaid out.

The ROM 108 stores a control program for regulating and controlling theslot machine 13, a program for executing routines as shown in FIGS. 11to 12 (hereinafter referred to as “routine execution program”), andinitial data for executing the control program, and various data tablesused in decision processes. The routine execution program includes theabove-mentioned basic game program and the like. The RAM 110 temporarilystores the values of flags and variables, and the like used in thecontrol program.

The interface circuit 111 for communication is also connected to theinput-output bus 104. The interface circuit 111 for communication is acircuit for communication with the management server 500 or the like,over the network 600 including a variety of networks of LAN.

The random number generator 112 for generating random numbers is alsoconnected to the input-output bus 104. The random number generator 112generates random numbers included in a certain range of numericalvalues, for example, “0” to “65535 (2¹⁶−1).” Alternatively, the randomnumbers may be generated by the arithmetic processing of the CPU 106.

The motor drive circuit 120 for driving the stepping motors 45A to 45Eis also connected to the input-output bus 104. In response to theoccurrence of a predetermined event, the CPU 106 controls the operationsof the stepping motors 45A to 45E via the motor drive circuit 120.

The speaker drive circuit 122 for driving the speaker 41 is alsoconnected to the input-output bus 104. The CPU 106 reads sound datastored in the ROM 108, and sends the read sound data to the speakerdrive circuit 122 via the input-output bus 104. This enables the speaker41 to generate predetermined sound effects.

The hopper drive circuit 124 for driving the hopper 44 is also connectedto the input-output bus 104. If inputted a cash-out signal from thecash-out switch 26, the CPU 106 outputs a drive signal to the hopperdrive circuit 124 via the input-output bus 104. This enables the hopper44 to payout a number of coins corresponding to the remainder of creditsat that point, which is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM110.

The display/input controller 140 is also connected to the input-outputbus 104. The CPU 106 generates an image display instruction according tothe game state and the game result, and outputs the generated imagedisplay instruction to the display/input controller 140 via theinput-output bus 104. If inputted the image display instruction from theCPU 106, the display/input controller 140 generates a drive signal fordriving the liquid crystal display 30 based on the inputted imagedisplay instruction, and outputs the generated drive signal to theliquid crystal display 30. This enables a predetermined image to bedisplayed on the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 of the liquidcrystal display 30.

FIG. 8 shows a game program storage table to be stored in the managementserver 500. In this table, game IDs and game names and game programs arestored in association with each other.

Thus, the management server 500 stores a plurality of game programs, andthe slot machines 13 and the cellular phones 300 perform games byreceiving the game programs over the network 600.

In an alternative, the plurality of the game programs may be stored in apredetermined memory of the controller 100 of the slot machine 13. Incases of storing the game programs in the management server 500, smallvolume memory is sufficient for each of the slot machines 13. In casesof storing the game programs in the slot machine 13, it is unnecessaryto separately provide the management server 500.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cellularphone 300.

The cellular phone 300 is provided with an input-output bus 304, a CPU306, a ROM 308, a RAM 310, a wireless equipment 320, a liquid crystaldisplay 330, an operating part 350, and an external connecting unit 370.

The CPU 306, the ROM 308, and the RAM 310 are connected to theinput-output bus 304.

The CPU 306 performs the overall control of the cellular phone 300. Whena game program is received from the management server 500, the gameprogram is read from the RAM 310 to perform the game with the cellularphone 300.

The ROM 308 stores programs for executing various functions of thecellular phone 300, and the RAM 310 temporarily stores the values offlags and variables to be used in the above-mentioned programs. When agame program is received from the management server 500, the gameprogram is stored in a predetermined memory area. The RAM 310 alsotemporarily stores credit data (refer to FIG. 10) of slot gamesperformed with the cellular phone 300.

The wireless equipment 320 and the liquid crystal display 330 are alsoconnected to the input-output bus 304.

The wireless equipment 320 exchanges radio waves during talking, namelyperforms sending and receiving of radio waves with a base station, aswell as the modulation and demodulation of calling and incoming signals.The wireless equipment 320 also receives the game programs from themanagement server 500 over the network 600. The liquid crystal display330 displays predetermined images, and if a slot game is performed withthe cellular phone 300, it displays predetermined images used in theslot game.

The operating part 350 is also connected to the input-output bus 304.

The operating part 350 performs a dial input operation in normal talkingand the like. The operating part 350 is provided with various buttonssuch as the above-mentioned center button 351, the upper button 352, theright button 353, the lower button 354, the left button 355, and the endbutton 356. The buttons 351 to 356 execute input operations whenperforming a slot game.

An external connecting unit 370 is also connected to the input-outputbus 304.

The external connecting unit 370 is configured so as to be connectableto the slot machine 13 via the external connecting part 170 provided inthe slot machine 13. The connection between the cellular phone 300 andthe slot machine 13 enables the cellular phone 300 to communicate withthe slot machine 13 via the external connecting unit 370.

FIG. 10 shows a credit data storage table stored in the RAM 310 of thecellular phone 300. In this table, game IDs and game names and creditdata are stored in association with each other. It can be seen from thistable that the player having the cellular phone 300 obtains credit dataof “4683” related to the game ID “0001” and the game name “A.” It isnoted that the credit data stored in the credit data storage table haveno minus values.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the flow of a main process of the slotmachine 13 performed by the controller 100 of the slot machine 13.

In the following, it is assumed that the slot machine 13 is activated inadvance, and the variables used in the CPU 106 are initialized topredetermined values, so that the slot machine 13 is in its normaloperation.

The CPU 106 decides the presence or absence of a connection to acellular phone (step S1). Specifically, the CPU 106 decides whether theslot machine 13 and the cellular phone 300 are connected to each othervia the external connecting unit 170. If connected (if the result is YESin step S11), the CPU 106 moves the procedure to step S2. If notconnected (if the result is NO in step S11), the CPU 106 terminates thepresent routine.

In step S2, the CPU 106 performs a game selection process. Specifically,the CPU 106 receives an operation signal from the operating part 350 ofthe cellular phone 300, and receives a game program from the pluralityof the game programs stored in the management server 500. In otherwords, the player selects a game from a selection screen (refer to FIG.13) displayed on the liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13 byusing the operating part 350 of the cellular phone 300. The CPU 106 thenmoves the procedure to step S3.

In step S3, the CPU 106 performs a credit data receiving process.Specifically, from among the credit data (refer to FIG. 10) stored inthe RAM 310 of each cellular phone 300, the CPU 106 receives credit datacorresponding to the game program that the slot machine 13 received fromthe management server 500, and stores it in a predetermined memory areaof the RAM 110 via the external connecting unit 170. The CPU 106 thenmoves the procedure to step S4.

In step S4, the CPU 106 performs an operation signal receiving processto be described later with reference to FIG. 12. The CPU 106 then movesthe procedure to step S5.

In step S5, the CPU 106 performs a game control process. Specifically,the CPU 106 instructs the random number generator 112 to generate arandom number in order to decide a combination of symbols in the basicgame, and also instructs the motor drive circuit 120 to rotate and thenstop the mechanical reels 3A to 3E. If the combination of symbols is apredetermined combination, the CPU 106 instructs the hopper drivecircuit 124 to award a prize via the hopper 44. According to the gameresult, the CPU 106 updates the credit data stored in the predeterminedmemory area of the RAM 110 in step S3. The CPU 106 then moves theprocedure to step S6.

In step S6, the CPU 106 decides whether an end signal is received ornot. Specifically, the CPU 106 decides whether the end signal isreceived from the cellular phone 300 via the external connecting unit170. If received (if the result is YES in step S6), the CPU 106 movesthe procedure to step S7. If not received (if the result is NO in stepS6), it returns the procedure to step S4. As used herein, the end signalis a signal to be supplied from the cellular phone 300 by the player'soperation of the end button 356 (refer to FIG. 2).

In step S7, the CPU 106 performs a credit data sending process.Specifically, the CPU 106 sends the credit data stored in apredetermined memory area of the RAM 110 to the cellular phone 300 viathe external connecting unit 170. The CPU 106 then terminates thepresent routine.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the flow of an operation signalreceiving process that is a subroutine of the main process in FIG. 11.

In the following, it is assumed that the slot machine 13 is connected tothe cellular phone 300 via the external connecting unit 170.

The CPU 106 decides whether an upper operation signal is received or not(step S11). Specifically, the CPU 106 decides whether the upperoperation signal is received from the cellular phone 300 via theexternal connecting unit 170. If received (if the result is YES in stepS11), the CPU 106 moves the procedure to step S12. If not received (ifthe result is NO in step S1), it returns the procedure to step S16. Asused herein, the upper operation signal is a signal supplied from thecellular phone 300 by the player's operation of the upper button 352(refer to FIG. 2).

In step S12, the CPU 106 performs a bet process. Specifically, the CPU106 performs the process of betting a coin on the winning lines. The CPU106 then moves the procedure to step S13.

In step S13, the CPU 106 performs a credit data subtraction process.Specifically, in reply to the one coin betting on the winning lines instep S12, the CPU 106 performs the process of subtracting, from thecredit data stored in the predetermined memory area of the RAM 110. TheCPU 106 then moves the procedure to step S14.

In step S14, the CPU 106 decides whether a lower operation signal isreceived or not. Specifically, the CPU 106 decides whether the loweroperation signal is received from the cellular phone 300 via theexternal connecting unit 170. If received (if the result is YES in stepS14), the CPU 106 moves the procedure to step S15. If not received (ifthe result is NO in step S14), it returns the procedure to step S16. Asused herein, the lower operation signal is a signal supplied from thecellular phone 300 by the player's operation of the lower button 354(refer to FIG. 2).

In step S15, the CPU 106 performs a start process. The CPU 106 thenterminates the present subroutine.

In step S16, the CPU 106 decides whether a middle operation signal isreceived or not. Specifically, the CPU 106 decides whether the middleoperation signal is received from the cellular phone 300 via theexternal connecting unit 170. If received (if the result is YES in stepS16), the CPU 106 moves the procedure to step S17. If not received (ifthe result is NO in step S16), it returns the procedure to step S11. Asused herein, the middle operation signal is a signal supplied from thecellular phone 300 by the player's operation of the center button 351(refer to FIG. 2).

In step S17, the CPU 106 performs a repeat bet process. Specifically, inreply to the operation of the center button 351 of the cellular phone300, the CPU 106 starts the game without changing the number of coinsbet on the winning lines in the last game. The CPU 106 then moves theprocedure to step S18.

In step S18, the CPU 106 performs a credit data subtraction process.Specifically, the CPU 106 performs the process of reducing the creditdata stored in the predetermined memory area of the RAM 110 by thenumber of the coins bet on the winning lines in step S18. The CPU 106then terminates the present subroutine.

FIGS. 13 to 15 show display examples to be displayed on the liquidcrystal display 30 when a game is performed with the operating part 350of the cellular phone 300.

The upper drawing of FIG. 13 is a display example displayed on theliquid crystal display 30 at the time of the game selection process instep S2 in FIG. 11.

In the upper drawing of FIG. 13, game selection blocks 410, 410, and430, and a cursor 94 are displayed on the upper part of the liquidcrystal display 30. That is, the player can choose his/her desired gamefrom a plurality of games (games A to C in this embodiment) by operatingthe cursor 94. At this time, the player can choose the game with theoperating part 350 of the cellular phone 300 connected via the externalconnecting unit 170. More specifically, when the player operates theright button 353 of the operating part 350, the cursor 94 shifts by 1 tothe right. When the player operates the left button 355 of the operatingpart 350, the cursor 94 shifts by 1 to the left.

The lower drawing of FIG. 13 is a display example to be displayed on theliquid crystal display 30 when the game A is selected in the upperdrawing of FIG. 13, and the credit data receiving process in step S3 inFIG. 11 is performed.

In the lower drawing of FIG. 13, a display part 48 and a representationimage 411 are displayed on the upper part of the liquid crystal display30. As used herein, the representation image 411 is a representationimage associated with the game A. The credit data of the game A, “4683”,stored in the RAM 310 of the cellular phone 300 is displayed on thedisplay part 48 (refer to FIG. 10). That is, the data of “4683” can bedisplayed on the display part 48 in the following manner that the slotmachine 13 receives the credit data of the gate A stored in the RAM 310of the cellular phone 300, and the credit data is stored in the RAM 110.

Although the present embodiment has been made assuming that the reels ofthe slot machine 13 are the mechanical reels, video reels may be usedinstead of the mechanical reels. This enables the player to perform aplurality of games with different reels, thus increasing enthusiasm forthe games.

The upper drawing of FIG. 14 shows a display example displayed on theliquid crystal display 30 when the slot machine 13 receives the upperoperation signal in the process of FIG. 12.

In the upper drawing of FIG. 14, the mechanical reels 3A to 3E arestopped. The player can confirm by the display part 49 that the numberof coins bet on the winning lines is one, and that the line L3, line L5,and line L7 are activated by betting the one coin. The player can alsoconfirm by the display part 49 that the credit data is changed to “4682”by betting the one coin. That is, the player can confirm that the onecoin was bet on the winning lines by operating the upper button 352 ofthe cellular phone 300.

The lower drawing of FIG. 14 is a display example to be displayed on theliquid crystal display 30 when the slot machine 13 receives the upperoperation signal three times and then receives the lower operationsignal.

In the lower drawing of FIG. 14, the mechanical reels 3A to 3E arerotating. The player can confirm by the display part 49 that the numberof coins bet on the winning lines is three. The player can also confirmthat the credit data is changed to “4680” decreased by “2” from that inthe upper drawing of FIG. 14. That is, the player can confirm that thethree coins were bet on the winning lines by operating the upper buttons352 of the cellular phone 300 three times, and then the mechanical reelswere rotated by operating the lower button 354.

The upper drawing of FIG. 15 shows a display example to be displayed onthe liquid crystal display 30 when a representation occurs in the gamecontrol process in step S4 in FIG. 11.

The games to be performed on the slot machine 13 provide variousrepresentations to please the player. In the upper drawing of FIG. 15, aleading character 81 and an enemy character 82 are displayed. A whip 91,a torch 92, and dynamite 93 are displayed above the characters 81 and82. The cursor 94 is displayed below the whip 91. Here, the player cansee situations where the leading character 81 fights with the enemycharacter 82 by using the whip 91, the torch 92, and the dynamite 93.

In the upper drawing of FIG. 15, the player can select the whip 91, thetorch 92, or the dynamite 93 by operating the cursor 94. That is, thecursor 94 shifts by 1 to the right when the player operates the rightbutton 353, and shifts by 1 to the left when the player operates theleft button 355. As a result, if the player selects the dynamite 93 byusing the operating part 350 of the cellular phone 300, the leadingcharacter 81 takes action against the enemy character 82 by throwing thedynamite 93, as shown in the lower drawing of FIG. 15.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, in the present invention the player iscapable of performing the games executable with the slot machine 13 byusing the operating part 350 of the cellular phone 300 of the player.The games executable with the slot machine 13 are games executable onlyby the cellular phone 300. In some cases, the player may be accustomedto perform the games with the operating part 350 of the cellular phone300. In such a case, the player may perform the games with the operatingpart 350 of the cellular phone 300 the player is accustomed to using,instead of the operating part 21 of the slot machine 13. Hence, thepresent invention can provide the slot machine 13 which enhances theoperability for players and provides a new entertainment value.

While the preferred embodiments of the slot machine of the presentinvention have been described and illustrated above, it is to beunderstood that they are exemplary of the invention and are not to beconsidered to be limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, andother modifications can be made thereto without departing from thespirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention isnot to be considered to be limited by the foregoing description and isonly limited by the scope of the appended claims.

For example, when performing a game with the credit data stored in theRAM 310 of the cellular phone 300, though the foregoing embodiment hasdescribed that only the same game in the plurality of the games could beused, a different game may be used. This further improves conveniencefor the players.

1. A slot machine comprising: a connecting terminal connectable to acellular phone of a player; and a game controller receiving an operationsignal from an operating part of the cellular phone by a connection withthe cellular phone via the connecting terminal, and performing controlof a game based on the operating signal received.
 2. The slot machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the game controller can perform a gameidentical with a game performable on a display of the cellular phone, byusing the cellular phone, when the cellular phone and the slot machineare not connected to each other via the connecting terminal.
 3. The slotmachine according to claim 2, wherein the game controller reads creditdata and performs control of a game with the read credit data byestablishing a connection between the cellular phone and the slotmachine via the connecting terminal, the credit data being provided by agame, performed with the cellular phone not connected to the slotmachine, and identical to a game performed with the slot machine, andthe credit data being stored in a memory of the cellular phone.
 4. Theslot machine according to claim 1, wherein the game controller readscredit data and performs control of a game with the read credit data byestablishing a connection between the cellular phone and the slotmachine via the connecting terminal, the credit data being provided by agame performed with the cellular phone connected to the slot machine andbeing stored in a memory of the cellular phone.
 5. The slot machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is connected so as toestablish communication with a management server storing data of aplurality of games; and the game is one game received from themanagement server from among the plurality of games stored in themanagement server.
 6. The slot machine according to claim 1, furthercomprising a memory storing data of the plurality of games, wherein thegame is one game read from the memory, from among the plurality of gamesstored in the memory.
 7. A slot machine comprising: a connectingterminal connectable to a cellular phone capable of performing a gameidentical to a game of the slot machine; and a game controller, by beingconnected to the cellular phone via the connecting terminal, receiving:(a) an operation signal from an operating part of the cellular phone;(b) credit data provided by the identical game performed with thecellular phone and then stored in a memory of the cellular phone; and(c) credit data provided by a game on the slot machine via theconnecting terminal and then stored in a memory of the cellular phone,new line and the game controller performing control of the game based onthe operating signal received and the credit data received.
 8. The slotmachine connected so as to establish communication with a managementserver storing data of a plurality of games, the slot machinecomprising: a connecting terminal connectable to a cellular phonecapable of performing games identical to the plurality of games; and agame controller receiving one game from among the plurality of games,from the management server, the game controller, by being connected tothe cellular phone via the connecting terminal, receiving: (a) anoperation signal from an operating part of the cellular phone; (b)credit data provided by the identical games performed with the cellularphone and then stored in a memory of the cellular phone; and (c) creditdata provided by one game on the slot machine via the connectingterminal and then stored in a memory of the cellular phone, new line andthe game controller performing control of the one game based on theoperating signal received and the credit data received.
 9. A slotmachine comprising: a memory storing data of a plurality of games; aconnecting terminal connectable to a cellular phone capable ofperforming games identical to the plurality of games; and a gamecontroller reading one game from among the plurality of games from thememory, the game controller, by being connected to the cellular phonevia the connecting terminal, receiving: (a) an operation signal from anoperating part of the cellular phone; (b) credit data provided by theidentical games performed with the cellular phone and then stored in amemory of the cellular phone; and (c) credit data provided by one gameon the slot machine via the connecting terminal and then stored in amemory of the cellular phone, new line and the game controllerperforming control of the one game based on the operating signalreceived and the credit data received.
 10. A game control method inwhich a game controller advances a game in a slot machine having aconnecting terminal connectable to a cellular phone of a player, themethod comprising the steps of: establishing a connection with thecellular phone via the connecting terminal; receiving an operationsignal from an operating part of the cellular phone connected; andperforming control of a game based on the operation signal received. 11.The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of controlling thegame performs control of a game identical with a game performable on adisplay of the cellular phone, by using the cellular phone, when thecellular phone is not connected to the slot machine via the connectingterminal.
 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising thesteps of: reading, from a memory of the cellular phone that isconnected, credit data provided by a game identical to a game performedwith the slot machine, the identical game being performed by thecellular phone in a state not connected to the slot machine.
 13. Themethod according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: reading,from the cellular phone that is connected, credit data provided by agame performed with the cellular phone connected to the slot machine;and performing a control of a game by using the read credit data. 14.The method according to claim 10, wherein the slot machine is connectedso as to establish communication with a management server storing dataof a plurality of games; and the game controller includes the steps of:receiving one game of the plurality of games from the management server;and performing control of the one game received.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein the slot machine has a memory storingdata of a plurality of games; and the game controller includes the stepsof: reading one game of the plurality of games stored in the memory; andperforming control of the one game read.
 16. A game control method of aslot machine in which the slot machine has a connecting terminalconnectable to a cellular phone capable of performing a game identicalto a game of the slot machine, and a game controller advances a game,the method comprising the steps of: establishing a connection with thecellular phone via the connecting terminal; receiving (i) credit dataprovided by the identical game performed with the cellular phone andstored in a memory of the cellular phone; (ii) credit data provided by agame on the slot machine via the connecting terminal and stored in amemory of the cellular phone; and (iii) an operation signal from anoperating part of the cellular phone; and performing control of a gamebased on the operation signal received and the credit data received. 17.A game control method of a slot machine in which a game controlleradvances a game, the slot machine being connected so as to establishcommunication with a management server storing data of a plurality ofgames, and having a connecting terminal connectable to a cellular phonecapable of performing games identical to the plurality of games, themethod comprising the steps of: receiving one game of the plurality ofgames from the management server; establishing a connection with thecellular phone via the connecting terminal; receiving (i) credit dataprovided by the identical game performed with the cellular phone andstored in a memory of the cellular phone; (ii) credit data provided by agame on the slot machine via the connecting terminal and stored in amemory of the cellular phone; and (iii) an operation signal from anoperating part of the cellular phone; and performing control of a gamebased on the operation signal received and the credit data received. 18.A game control method of a slot machine in which a game controlleradvances a game, the slot machine having a memory storing data of aplurality of games, and a connecting terminal connectable to a cellularphone capable of performing games identical to the plurality of games,the method comprising the steps of: reading one game of the plurality ofgames from the memory; establishing a connection with the cellular phonevia the connecting terminal; receiving (i) credit data provided by theidentical game performed with the cellular phone and stored in a memoryof the cellular phone; (ii) credit data provided by a game on the slotmachine via the connecting terminal and stored in a memory of thecellular phone; and (iii) an operation signal from an operating part ofthe cellular phone; and performing control of a game based on theoperation signal received and the credit data received.